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Saturday, September 26, 2009

Three Men in a boat, in a car, on bicycles Pt 2















My blogging and riding have been suffering lately as I have been spending more hours in a plane then on a bike. The last two weeks have found me in Dubai (UAE) twice and Singapore once.














In my last episode Phil, Simon and I were heading North from San Antonio to Wichita Falls to compete in the Hotter than Hell 100.

We were quite excited about the event as we had the credibility of an organised team (With our New MULE shirts) to offer some form of resemblance to a plan in riding together: Kenny,Dave,Sean,Simon,Cristian,Philip,Adam and myself.


This really worked out quite well with a really hot start. (Averaging over 21 mph for the first 60 miles) as we alternated the work in 2 minute pulls at the front.

The going was tough at times with a number of riders riding 5 or 6 abreast down the road oblivious to our pleads of wanting to pass.

The heat wasn't there this year which is fortunate as I lost a water bottle after traversing over a railway track earlier in the ride.

The team was great and especially helpful to myself who had written of my bike and my ribs only two weeks before the ride. The last twenty miles was tough but my fellow MULES pulled me through recording an average of just under 20mph for the 100 mile trek.









Then we decided to socialize!!!








Its a TWIN THING!!!

Monday, September 7, 2009

Three Men in a boat,car,bicycles Pt 1















It seems like years since I have sat at my computer to engage in blogging. The main reason for this has been a recent visit from England by my twin brother Philip and his friend Simon.
The main reason for their visit, apart from drinking all my vintage wine was to compete in the Hotter than Hell 100 in Wichita Falls.
Of course I would be failing in my duties as a host if I did not indulge in some tourist like activities en route. So we had the idea of a road trip.

For those of you who have not ventured into 19th Century humor there is one classic that you have to read. It has the fundamental ingredients of such a trip...
  • Good Friends
  • Lots of Pubs
  • Comical Calamities
  • and A Dog
Heck even the Great bard himself sprinkled a few Canine characters into his plays to keep his actors on their tows.
The Book in Question is "Three Men in a Boat"
In the original story the book opens with the three men in question spending an evening discussing every possible ailment or illness they fancy they are suffering. They naturally conclude they are all suffering from 'overwork' and need a holiday. A stay in the country and a sea-trip are both considered, then rejected. Finally the three decide upon a boating holiday, up the River Thames, from Kingston Upon Thames to Oxford. A great narration of it can be heard by Hugh Laurie of "House" Fame.

Unlike the adventures contained in the classic novel, of a trip down the Thames our water adventures were limited to Tubes down the Comel river in New Braunfels, Texas. The process is actually very civilized as they provide you with an additional tube to put your cooler in to ensure your beers stay COLD!!! Of course hanging onto that Tube and warding off BEER Pirates is another challenge all of its own. There were casualties!!!

Comel River 1 Phils Camera 0.
The evening took us into lovely San Antonio with its great dedication to Texas Heroes, The Alamo, The River Walk and a fantastic Mexican Dinner!!!!

After the first day on the road we all three shared a room in a hotel (Separate beds - I hasten to add). In the middle of the night I awoke to the sounds of the Serengeti, could it have been a wilder beast? a warthog? NO!!! Phil & Simon Snoring!!

Pt 2 Coming Soon!! as we head North through Austin, Waco and Fort Worth to Wichita Falls